Ellington

The city of Rossville is bringing in Chad Rogers as the city’s new athletic director, and Mayor Teddy Harris said he is confident in Rogers’ ability to do a great job.

“I’ve done it before; I know that it takes effort and sacrifice, and I am certain I can do the job,” Rogers said.

Rogers said he is looking to bring fresh insight, creative ideas and new activities for the community of Rossville.

“I would like to get more people of our community involved and able to utilize this great facility we offer by learning their needs and wants,” he said.

In his focus to do what’s best for the kids, parents and members of the community, he is working to implement more long-term goals. Rogers explained he wants to attract all age groups to the city’s Athletic Center by thinking outside of the traditional box. He plans to strengthen the programs offered and add new ones such as group exercise classes and youth soccer programs.

Rogers is currently working on getting the ball fields ready for baseball and softball before spring sports season begins and plans to revamp the Athletic Center by updating the aged flooring.

In a special Rossville city council meeting called in early March, the vote was spilt on the hiring of the new athletic director, which has led to differing opinions among the community.

“Anytime you have a change people will have an opinion, whether that is good or bad,” Rogers said. “Being competitive by nature and an athlete, when I hear people saying that they expect me to fail it does nothing but motivate me.”

Rogers has worked for the Chattanooga Fire Department since 2005 and accepted the athletic director position at a reduced salary on a part-time basis to help the city save on benefits and remain within budget. He has resided in the Lookout Valley area his entire life and attended Cleveland State and Tennessee Tech where he played baseball for two years at each school. He has worked in management positions and previously as the assistant football coach for the state championship-winning team at Signal Mountain High School.